Camping & RV
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Should an RV Inverter Be Left on When Plugged In?
Generally, RV inverters should be turned off when not in use to avoid unnecessary battery drain. However, whether an RV inverter should be left on or off when plugged in depends on several factors, primarily the type of inverter and the manufacturer’s recommendations. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll look in-depth at how RV inverters work,…
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What Size Generator Do I Need for My RV?
To determine the appropriate generator size you need for your RV, calculate your electrical requirements and choose a unit that meets those needs without excessive capacity. This article will discuss the importance of selecting the right generator size and a step-by-step guide on how to size your RV generator, with a special focus on solar…
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What Size DC-To-DC Charger Do I Need?
The optimal size of a DC-to-DC charger depends on several factors, including the total auxiliary battery capacity, maximum charge rate, alternator output, and additional charging sources or loads. Accounting for these aspects and selecting a properly sized charger is crucial for maximizing charging efficiency. In this article, you’ll learn a step-by-step process for calculating the…
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What Car Battery Voltage Is Too Low
The optimal voltage range for most car batteries used in RVs and motor homes is 12.4-12.7 volts. Yet, these vehicles often face challenges maintaining this voltage and preventing low voltage in the car battery, especially when parked for extended periods. Using trickle chargers and solar charge maintainers is essential for RVs and motorhomes that sit…
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How Many Amps Does a Mini Fridge Use
A typical mini fridge uses 0.2-0.6 amps when connected to a 120V AC power source and 3-7 amps on a 12V DC battery system during regular operation. Start-ups can see a spike of up to three times regular consumption. However, these numbers are for reference only and will vary depending on the fridge’s model, size,…
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What Does a Solar-Powered FM Receiver Transmitter Do?
Solar-powered FM receiver transmitter or, shortly, solar-powered radio is a unique variant of a traditional FM receiver transmitter, with one significant difference: it doesn’t rely on batteries or any external electrical source. Instead, it harnesses solar power, turning it into electrical power through photovoltaic technology. At first glance, a solar-powered radio resembles the standard radios…
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What Size Generator to Run Air Conditioner
Choosing the right generator size to run an air conditioner depends primarily on two factors: the power requirements of the air conditioner, particularly at startup, and the generator’s power output. This article will guide you through understanding these requirements, including a special focus on solar generators for RV use, and provide a step-by-step process for…
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What Size Breaker for a Refrigerator
You can easily calculate the circuit breaker size needed for a standard refrigerator by reading the rated current value from the nameplate of your refrigerator and doing some basic calculations to arrive at the size of the breaker. In this guide, we’ll show how you can easily select the correct circuit breaker size for refrigerators…
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Can You Run a Mini Split on Solar
Using solar power to run a mini-split system is not only feasible, it is an efficient choice. This eco-friendly solution addresses energy consumption concerns while providing an alternative to traditional power sources. In this article, we’ll explore the dynamics of direct and indirect solar power for mini-splits, discuss the types of compatible units, and guide…
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How to Wire Inverter To RV Breaker Box
Knowing how to wire an inverter to an RV breaker box allows for efficient electrical power utilization when camping or traveling in an RV. Wiring a power inverter to your RV’s breaker box involves creating a connection between your battery bank, inverter, and RV’s breaker panel, often using changeover switches. These switches enable seamless transition…
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How Many Solar Panels for Food Truck?
If you want to know how many solar panels you will need for your food truck, you need to understand that A 1 kW solar system may, on average, provide about 4-5 kWh of electricity each day. Hence, a solar power system with a 4-5 kW capacity would be needed for a food truck with…
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5 Best Solar Powered Bug Zappers in 2023
As with most solar products, high battery capacity and run time, rapid charging, and durability are indicators of quality in a solar bug zapper. However, what truly defines the best solar-powered bug zappers are their effective range and zapping voltage. Our Solar Bug Zappers Review 1. Elechrome Electric Solar Mosquito Killer for Indoor & Outdoor…
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10 Best Solar Ovens in 2023
There is no better heat source than the sun; with solar ovens, you can use that energy to your advantage. Many campers are beginning to see the excellent benefits of solar cookers. With a temperature range that rivals propane ovens, these solar-powered ovens certainly give campers plenty of reasons to switch over. Alternatively, this is…
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10 Best Solar Battery Maintainer for Cars and RVs
Unfortunately, emergencies strike when you least expect it for many, but having a quick and reliable method to restore battery power can be a lifesaver. In many cases, when you can least handle it. Being out shopping when your car battery decides to die can be a massive headache. Out camping in the woods with…
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10 Best Portable Solar Panels in 2023
Portable solar panels provide steady power wherever it’s needed. Ideally, they will be lightweight, small enough to carry and resist outdoor elements. Many of the products reviewed also come with helpful bags or built-in handles. The balance between portability and power output is important. They’re often used for backpacking, camping, and similar trips outdoors. They…
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6 Best Flexible Solar Panels to Buy in 2023
When choosing flexible solar panels, you will come across products with varying durability, ease of installation, solar cell efficiency, size, and weight. However, the power output is the most defining quality of flexible solar panels. Not all solar cells have the same efficiency. The efficiency of flexible monocrystalline solar panels is higher than that of…
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Solar Powered Tent – 4 Common Setups for Solar Tents
Solar-powered tents are a growing trend in the camping world. People are becoming more and more interested in experiencing life outdoors while maintaining some of life’s modern luxuries. Dream or reality in experiencing the solar tent is a great adventure. There are several different ways to incorporate solar power into just about any tent-based experience.…
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5 Best Solar Radio Reviews in 2023
There are many reasons you might need a solar radio. Maybe you live in an area with severe weather or natural disasters, and you want to create an emergency preparedness kit. Perhaps you enjoy camping, hiking, or backpacking and want to add a solar power radio to your gear. It is great to have one…
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How to Get Electricity While Camping – 7 Common Ways
Solar power, gas generators, and car batteries are three of the few ways to get electricity while camping. But while they can all be your camping power source, their efficiency, output power, operation costs, safety, and eco-friendliness differ. Of the 3 camping power sources we stated above, gas generators typically offer the highest maximum power…
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8 Best Solar Showers for Camping in 2023
You could get a solar shower with a large storage capacity, top-notch add-ons, and a quality build. But the ultimate mark of quality of the best solar shower is a fast heating rate. The larger the storage capacity of a solar shower bag, the more water you can store for heating. At the same time,…
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8 Best Solar Backpacks in 2023
Large-sized solar backpacks with battery banks and multiple USB ports that are weatherproof and durable are great. But in the end, high solar panel wattage defines the gap between the best solar backpack and the rest. The 8 Best Solar Backpacks at a Glance Size The spatial capacity of a solar-powered backpack depends on its…
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8 Best Solar Flashlights in 2023
It’s time to brighten your day and night with the best solar-powered flashlights! No emergency kit is ever complete without a proper flashlight to ensure you’ll have visibility when there is none. Whether the power goes out or you’re stuck on a dark road, a solar flashlight will keep you reliably safe in any instance…
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11 Best Solar Generators for Your 2023 Camping Trip
Before buying a solar generator for your next camping trip, you should estimate how much power you need to run your appliances. Consider features like output power rating, charge controller type, weight, portability, charging rate, and battery type. But what truly makes a solar-powered generator stand out is its battery capacity. What to Consider Before…
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DIY Solar Shower Ideas – Guide With Diagrams
In the afternoon, you can easily build a DIY solar shower with affordable hardware store supplies such as PVC pipes, hoses, buckets, and garden-grade spigots or spray heads. In addition, most solar shower projects, particularly simple, mobile types, require no specialized technical skills or equipment. On the other hand, formal, permanent DIY solar shower setups…
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Solar Combiner Box Wiring Diagram: Essential Installation Roadmaps
If you have a solar combiner box with a confusing or missing wiring diagram, you’ll have to find a better example, seek advice on deciphering it, or even draw one up yourself. We can help you do this by describing the different types of diagrams you may encounter and how to find, read, and understand…
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How Much Solar Power Do I Need to Run a Refrigerator?
Many factors define how much solar power a refrigerator needs to run, from size and power rating to refrigeration system and duration of the operation. So when people ask, “how much solar power do I need to run a refrigerator” we answer them by asking specific questions about their refrigerator. Once you know how much…
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4 Best Solar Combiner Boxes in 2023
The best solar combiner boxes will endure extreme temperatures, absorb lightning strikes, and resist rain, all to combine your solar panels into one surge-protected line, straight to your electronics bay. So, when going through your options for a solar combiner box, ensure you look out for safety features. But apart from that, you should consider…
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10 Best Solar Panels for Camping in 2023
With resources limited when you go camping, an unreliable solar panel will be more of a liability than an asset. The best solar panels for camping are revered for their portability, high efficiency, power output, and weather resistance. Every feature ensures the panels stay working in the wilderness. So, when putting this article together, we…
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Solar Power for RV Air Conditioner – How to Size RV Solar Power
Solitude? Check. Idyllic landscape? Check. But does your RV have enough solar power to run an air conditioner? Maybe not! The lack of a comfortable temperature inside your rig can ruin an otherwise perfect road trip. While powering an air conditioner with solar energy is possible, the setup calls for many solar panels and a…
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Solar Panels vs. Generators Camping
The solar panels vs. generators controversy for camping isn’t novel. It doesn’t mean you must forgo comforts like your air conditioner, phone, microwave, or coffee machine as a camper. With a reliable power source, you can power these appliances. Now most campers either use fuel generators or solar panels. But the question remains which is…
